allimancz 's review for:

I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
4.75
challenging hopeful informative sad medium-paced
This was such an eye opening listen to the challenges a young Jennette faced as a child star, and one I had on my list for a while due to its high ratings. I was a bit put off by the title, but once I began listening, I found it’s quite fitting for the story told. I was especially impressed by her ability to recount just enough detail from her childhood to inform the reader, but not overwhelm, and how she places the audience almost in direct conversation with a young child. That is so hard to do well as an adult writer contextualizing and reflecting back! This then changes as the narrator ages and her word choice intentionally mirrors this timeline shift. My only critique would be the rushed ending in the book’s final chapters as she ages much more quickly (years and years) from scene to scene as opposed to the rest of the book’s gradual progression. 

Overall, very smart and effective writing that kept me interested and rooting for Jennette to leave the industry from the start. I hope she continues writing because not only is she very talented, she wants to be putting these words on the page. It’s about time her voice, and hers alone, shines. 
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